Counting money, the way children learn it
Children first learn to name each coin and its value, then to count a handful of the same coin, and then to add mixed coins by starting with the biggest one and counting on. The coins on every problem are sorted from biggest to smallest to support that habit.
Dollars, pounds and rupiah
Each currency has its own coins drawn to their real shapes and relative sizes: the US quarter is larger than the nickel, the UK 20p and 50p have seven sides and the £1 coin has twelve, and the rupiah set includes the notes children see every day.
Curriculum links in England
- Year 1Pupils recognise and know the value of different coins and notes.
- Year 2Children use the £ and p symbols, combine coins to make an amount, find different ways to make the same amount, and give change.
- Year 3Amounts are added and subtracted to give change, using both pounds and pence.
Choose UK pounds and pence for an English class. Most coin work happens in Year 2: children find several ways to make 50p and solve problems with money of the same unit, so keep totals in pence first and mix pounds and pence in Year 3.
The UK has eight coins, from 1p to £2, and Bank of England notes from £5 to £50. The curriculum stresses practical contexts, so a tray of real or plastic coins and a class shop next to the sheets help a great deal.
Summarised in our own words from the National Curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study (DfE).
